Educational Insights: May 12, 2008
May 12, 2008
Rural to urban migration in Nebraska means change for hundreds of communities. Smaller families also contribute to school enrollment decline in rural schools. According to the latest U.S. Census, rural NE has lost more than 3,000 people annually since 2000. Currently, 75% of all Nebraskans reside in only 13 of this state’s 93 counties.
These changing demographics impose a ‘new way of thinking’ in small communities. Less state aid available to rural school districts requires more teamwork among all stakeholders. Increasingly, small schools are forming partnerships with local businesses, foundations, and patrons to join hands in promoting opportunities for their residents. Here are a few examples from across the state:
• Holdrege school district has a newly added state-of-the-art performing arts’ center added to its high school by a local philanthropist that all community members are able to enjoy.
• Gothenburg’s community fundraising efforts yielded a brand new gym complex with a recreation/fitness center for all patrons to access.
• Loup City school district partners with their community for a local preschool, library, and fitness center open to all.
• Conestoga district (Murray and Plattsmouth) has stepped up in the effort to build a combination high school fitness center and multipurpose community facility.
• Central City worked jointly with their local city to provide an improved softball field for all to utilize.
Schools and communities must continually seek partnership opportunities and communicate at increased levels about needed services. At Plainview high, the National Honor Society has taken steps in creating a leadership academy that could have a lasting impact for future generations. The academy plans to develop skills that can be used to help with leadership in the community, school, church, and in life. What makes this different from other traditional leadership programs is that it is geared for the youth. When the students were asked what they would like to accomplish from this training, they replied unanimously that they wanted to make a difference in the future of their community. This is a far cry from the rhetoric that we often hear about how students can’t wait to leave. Most of the students planning this program for the 2008-09 school year will go on to college and may not return to live in Plainview. That does not stop them from caring about what happens to the community and trying to create opportunities for others who do choose to live and raise a family there.
Garden County’s future success will depend on the degree of commitment of all its residents and alumni to purposeful and joint planning. In every partnership, collaboration of the community and school vision must pave the way.
-Dr. Paula Sissel,
Superintendent/Elementary Principal
PLEASE NOTE: We are working on compiling a current alumni list serve. We are asking all alumni and related parties check the school's web site (http://www.gardencountyschools.org) to see if the email listed for them is correct. If an email address needs to be updated or included, please contact Julie Jorgensen: juliej@panesu.org. Send the following information: full name, the school graduated from with the year of graduation, and a current email address.
